Trackpad

Users can use the trackpad to navigate and highlight text.
On BlackBerry devices with a touch screen, the trackpad gives users better control over the cursor or pointer and provides an unobstructed view of the screen.

In most cases, an action occurs when users release the trackpad, not when they click it. However, when users click and hold the trackpad, the action occurs before users release the trackpad.

Users can perform the following actions with the trackpad:

User action

Result

Click the trackpad.

This action performs default actions. If there is no default action and the item has multiple actions, then this action opens the pop-up menu.

Click and hold the trackpad.

If a pop-up menu is available, this action opens the pop-up menu.

Click the trackpad while pressing the Shift key.

This action highlights text or highlights messages in a message list on BlackBerry devices with a physical keyboard.

Click the trackpad while pressing the Alt key.

This action zooms in to a picture, map, web page, or attachment on BlackBerry devices with a physical keyboard.

Move a finger on the trackpad.

This action moves the highlight, cursor, or pointer.

Swipe across the trackpad.

This action moves the content on the screen quickly in the opposite direction of the swipe.

Best practice: Implementing trackpad actions

Consider the following guidelines:

Assign a default action when users click the trackpad.

Allow users to easily move from one item to another by swiping across the trackpad. For example, allow users to see the next or previous picture in a collection of pictures.

On BlackBerry devices with a touch screen and a trackpad, consider the following best practices:

Allow movement between touch screen and trackpad interactions to flow seamlessly during a task.

Consider allowing touch screen and trackpad interactions to complement each other. For example, users can scroll to find content using the touch screen and then use the trackpad to move the cursor to highlight a specific sentence.

Allow combined touch screen and trackpad interactions, where appropriate. For example, in a game, when users move over an object using a finger on the touch screen, they can click the trackpad to shoot the object.

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